WWII Veteran Loses Everything, Online Community Rallies Behind Him

By: Katrina Manning | November 17, 2015

In July, Johnnie Hodges, a 90-year-old WWII veteran, was evicted from his home in Buffalo, New York. He fell behind on his mortgage, yet he chose not to ask his children for help or tell them that he was behind on his payments.

Hodges has been caring for his wife of 65 years, Flora, who suffered from Alzheimer's Disease for six years, before passing away at home in 2014. Hodges said, "My wife was a beautiful lady, a kind lady, a Christian lady, and she did everything she could to please everybody. I enjoyed my wife and I miss her a lot."

There is good news though, an online campaign raised more than $110,000, and Hodges was able to purchase his house back by the Nov. 5 deadline. Hodges' daughter, Robin Hodges told Yahoo “The whole journey has been just wonderful, even though it appeared to be really bad at first. I have to give praise to God. This was all God. He touched the hearts of people who exhibited such love and kindness and concern.”

The fundraiser was set up by Greg Elwood of Amherst, New York, after he heard about Hodges’ difficulties. Elwood said "[I] have a tremendous amount of respect for the greatest generation, and just felt really compelled to help out a veteran who had just been evicted from his home. We had a donation from Norway, we had a donation from a 6-year-old girl with a lemonade stand who donated five dollars to the cause."

In addition, the city of Buffalo has designated Nov. 6 as John H. Hodges Sr. Day. Hodges added, “Well, I don't know what to say, but I will say first thank God for doing everything that he did for us."